usfs trails collaboration public hearing findings.pptx

8/6/2019 USFS Trails Collaboration Public Hearing Findings.pptx

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USDA Forest ServiceUSDA Forest ServiceChattahoocheeChattahoochee--OconeeOconee

National ForestNational Forest

Results from Public HearingsFebruary - March 2011



Locations and ParticipantsLocations and Participants

yDalton, Blue Ridge, Kennesaw,Clarkesville, Eatonton

y332 Participantsy117 Filled-Out Surveys



R esponses to the surveysR esponses to the surveys

Concerns� That the process will dead end ± or not continue� That people will not have the time or energy to commit� Predetermined agendas ± from user groups and from FS� Losing access to trails (or more trails)� That the finances are not available to complete the project� That the volunteer resources will not be utilized to the fullest extent� How long will this take?� Not enough people gave input� That even through all this ± Nothing Will Change!� Communication ± Communication ± Communication� ³Damn fish´ � Too many multi-use trails�

Not enough multi-use trails� Not enough horse trails� Not enough ATV/OHV trails



3 Breakout Sessions Each Night3 Breakout Sessions Each Night

y

What is your impression of existing trails?And, prioritize in order of importancey What are your suggestions for

collaboration between user groups andthe forest service?

y How can we accomplish the big picture?What are your suggestions for meetingthe goal /mission statements andprinciples?



Seven Topic AreasSeven Topic Areas

yCommunication

yDesign and UseyResources

yProcess

yTrainingyEducation

yRegulation



CommunicationCommunication

y

Need More Informationy Clarification

y Collaboration

y Better Communication

y Recognition



Design and UseDesign and Use

y Protecting the Resourcesy Better use of what is already availabley To determine future trail needsy Trail Usey Facilities and Access to Trail Headsy Ability to measure, monitor and control what

is going on with trail ± condition reports Prioritize which trails need to get fixed

y Need trails analysis and public input onconditions



R esourcesR esources

Volunteer Financial

Reduce restraints on volunteers

Recruit and utilize volunteers

Use volunteers to keep up trailsx ³the trails maintained by volunteers seem to be

the best´

Look to Youth

Clarify:x Are trails mostly maintained by volunteers

x How do we involve more people tobuild /maintain /police

x

Who is responsible? Volunteers need to be organized ± how do wedo that? How do we identify the work

Recruit ³green´ maintainers ± also a marketingtechnique

What is the ³value /cost´ of volunteering

Agency needs a way for folks to report trailsconditions

Work weekends to cleanup and for maintenance

Recognize volunteers ± a little goes a long way

Groups need to ³adopt´ trails

Reasonable fees acceptable Need better grant writing Raise fees

x Unless you have a license ± huntingfishing

x Or you have volunteered

Leverage other land Folks willing to pay for use but would

like money to be used for that trailsystem Need financial resources, private and

public Pay or volunteer to play Permits for high use areas



ProcessProcess

y Prioritize the actions

y

Breakdown into measurable objectives andtimelines

y look to FS to manage all resources

y Know expectation of each group

y

Distinguish between maintainable andsustainable

y Need updated management practices

y Prioritize objective so workforce is maximized



TrainingTraining

Trail Clearance height and width ± logs are not cutout to trail classifications

Train volunteers to do it right«Need chainsawcourses

Train volunteers in appropriate trail techniques inmaintaining trails so they are safe and properlymaintained

Certification processes needs centralization, easierprocess, make it easier to find place to train, makeit closer to districts

User groups need to take more responsibility fortraining and maintaining

Hold joint events for training and certifications



R egulationR egulation

y Safety Helmets needed for some groups

No loose dogs Alcohol (issue at Houston Valley)

x Especially with motorized

y Control

Control /patrol illegal use of trails Control parking ± speed limits, arrangement of parking

More /better security and law enforcementx Especially high traffic areas

Many users don¶t follow the rules«



Questions?Questions?



Working GroupsWorking Groups

y

Volunteer Coordination and Recruitmenty Resource Planning

y Communication

y Education and Training



ExpectationsExpectations

This is a list of expectations intended to give guidance for each group. Once thegroups are arranged, you will be meeting to create an action template for your

assigned /chosen topic.

Timetable for Completion of Action Plan: Beginning: April 30, 2011 Ending: July 31, 2011

y Each group /committee has an even number of members and a good mix of user groups.

y Each group member agrees to participate in all activities.y Everyone agrees to a participate in good spirit ± healthy discussion is

encouraged, disagreement allowed, when leaving meeting you do not hold

grudges.y We encourage participation. Once the groups have been formed, however, it

will require the original group¶s consent to allow the new members to havevoting privileges.

y All decisions require a consensus.



Expectations Continued«Expectations Continued«

y Your commitment to the process is crucial. Please try to attend every meeting.y When an individual cannot attend a meeting, that individual understands that

the process and work must continue. Missing a session means missing a vote.y When consensus cannot be obtained, group will work to obtain consensus.y If you can¶t come to an agreement«

reserve unsettled issues for later, but move forward on other issues thegroup is in agreement

delay decision until more information can be obtained- and provide noticefor a discussion by larger group /everyone

finally, a vote will be taken and the outcome of the vote will be consideredas the position of the group.

y Remember: The End result is collaboration, better use of resources, and«

y Additionally:y Need to schedule future meetingsy No later than July 31, 2011 we need to have final copies of each Action Plan.

usfs trails collaboration public hearing findings.pptx

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